Feed means for optical display device and control system therefor

ABSTRACT

A feed structure for a film projector is disclosed which is specially adapted to permit and inhibit feeding under the accurate and synchronized action of an electrical signal. The signal positions an electromagnetically actuated stop which coacts with the film feeding element so as to inhibit movement of that element only after the element has reached a predetermined position in its normal cycle of movement.

United States Patent [191 Kotler et al. 1 Apr. 17, 1973 FEED MEANS FOROPTICAL DISPLAY [56] References Cited DEVICE AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREFORUNITED STATES PATENTS Inventors: Max Kotler, 2 Surry Lane Mont 3,567,0923/197] Heinin "326/66 vale NJ; Frank E- Ravese 1856 3,637,124 l/l972Ueno ....26/62 M'Pk',B kl,N.Y.

arms ar wdy r00 yn Primary ExammerRichard A. Schacher [22] Fil d: CI-20, 1971 AtrorneyMaxwell James et al. [21] Appl.No.: 191,083

[57] ABSTRACT Related Apphcauon Data A feed structure for a filmprojector is disclosed which [62] Division of Ser. No. 75,158, Sept. 24.1970. Pat. No. is specially adapted to permit and inhibit feeding3,690,746 under the accurate and synchronized action of an electricalsignal. The signal positions an electromag- 226/66 226/161 neticallyactuated stop which coacts with the film 352/194 feeding element so asto inhibit movement of that ele- [51] Int. Cl.....,. ..G03b 1/22 mentonly after the element has reached a predeter [58] Field of Search..226/46, 62, 66, 48,

mined position in its normal cycle of movement.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEI] APR 1 71975 SHEET 1 OF 4 PATENTEDAP 1 1 1315 A 3.727. 819

SHEET 2 BF 4 PATENTEU APR 1 71973 SHEET 3 [1F 4 PATENTED 3,727, 819

SHEET UF 4 mmm FEED MEANS FOR OPTICAL DISPLAY DEVICE AND CONTROL SYSTEMTHEREFOR This application is a division of my application Ser. No.75,158, filed Sept. 24, 1970, now US. Pat. No. 3,690,746 entitled FeedMeans for Optical Display Device andControl System Therefor".

The present invention relates to the construction and operation of afeed and control system for an optical displayer such asa motion pictureor slide projector which is used in conjunction with a sound reproducer,both the optical displayer and the sound reproducer producingintelligence recorded on devices (e.g. films, tapes, records) fedtherethrough. The sound reproducer device carries intelligence (a soundmessage, for example) and also carries control signals which areeffective to control the feed both of the sound reproducer device and ofthe optical displayer device, and the optical displayer device carriesintelligence (a series of pictures, for example) and also carriescontrol signals which are similarly effective in feed control.

There are many instances where an optical displayer and a soundreproducer are used together. For example, one may wish to show picturesand have an audible explanation or commentary with respect to thosepictures. ln such cases the time duration for each of the individualpictures to be displayed may vary widely. lt may be desired that somepictures remain on the screen for long periods of time because there isa great deal to be said about them, while other pictures should remainon the screen for a lesser period of time because there lecturer, standby the optical displayer and the sound reproducer and actuate themeither in accordance with signals from the lecturer who is present or inaccordance with some predetermined time schedule. This is cumbersome andsubject to error. It is also possible to provide a specially programmedcontrol assembly in the nature of a computer which will actuate thecontrols for the optical displayer and the sound reproducer inaccordancewith a program separately fed into the computer. This is obviouslyexpensive, and adapted only for use with major display installations,such as those in a motion picture theater.

There is a need for a simplified system for controlling the feed of theoptical displayer device and of the sound reproducer device in order toprovide the desired flexibility of operation, which system requires ribequipment other than what can be built into the optical displayer andthe sound reproducer respectively, economically and without greatlyincreasing either the size or cost of the respective assemblies. .lt isalso highly desirable that the control systems in question be actuatedat the proper times without having to utilize any special separateprogramming equipment, with all of the problems of synchronization whichthe use of such separate equipment entails.

It is therefore the prime object of the present invention to devise acontrol system for an optical displayer and for a sound reproducer whichpermits flexibility of control of the feed in each of those assembliesby' means which are simple, inexpensive and readily incorporatable intostandard units which can be used as such either on a home or industrialscale.

It is another object of the present invention to devise such a controlsystem in which no separate control programming is required, the devicereproduced by the optical displayer and the device reproduced by thesound reproducer each carrying control signals in addition tointelligence, the control signals of each acting on the feed mechanismsfor the optical displayer and/or sound reproducer, .in order to producethe desired mode of operation.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide on the tapeor other device utilized by the sound reproducer a set of controlsignals which, when present in one form, will cause step by stepoperation of the optical displayer, the frequency of operation thereofbeing determined by the frequency of occurrence those individual controlsignals, the sound reproducer device also being capable of providing adifferent type of signal which will cause the optical displayer tofunction in a substantially continuous fashion, and which optionallywill also cause the sound reproducer to cease its functioning.

It is a further object of the present invention to pro vide, in a systemcomprising an optical displayer and a sound reproducer, means forshifting control of operation of the system or of individual partsthereof from the device reproduced in the optical displayer to thedevice reproduced in the sound reproducer and back again, whereby greatflexibility of control is provided.

It is yet another object of the present invention to devise a mechanismfor adapting the usual type of claw feed in a motion picture projectorso that it can readily be controlled by external control signals, suchas those produced by the sound reproducer device or by some separatesystem, such as a timed pulse-producing electrical circuit.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to devise means forinterrupting the normal feeding action of a cam-operated feeding claw ina motion picture projector and permitting that feeding claw then tooperate in feeding fashion either intermittently or continuously asdetermined by external electrical signals.

To these ends, both the device reproduced by the optical displayer(e.g., a motion picture film) and the device reproduced by the soundreproducer (e.g., a sound tape) are provided. in addition to theintelligence which they normally carry (e.g. individual picture framesin the case of the motion picture film and reproducible magneticvariations corresponding to sound in the case of the sound tape), with achannel containing control signals. Means are provided for sensing thesecontrol signals, both those derived from the optical displayer deviceand those derived from the sound reproducer device, and causing thosecontrol signals to act and interact in order to determine the mode ofoperation of the optical displayer and the sound reproducerrespectively. Thus the sound reproducer can be held dormant while thepicture film is fed until the optical displayer is ready to show anappropriate picture, that readiness being made evident by the controlsignal on the picture film, control of the feeding of the picture filmand of the sound tape thereafter being taken over by the soundreproducer, that control then being effected by the control signals onthe sound tape. One type of control signal thus provided may cause theoptical displayer to feed one picture at a time, with appropriateintervals between pictures as determined by the spacing of the controlsignals on the sound tape which continues to feed through the soundreproducer. Alternatively, or in addition at any particular time whichis appropriate, a

on the motion picture film. That new control signal, like the firstcontrol signal from the optical displayer device, can then turn controlback to the'sound reproducer. This sequence can be continued for as longas necessary or desirable, thereby providing extreme flexibility in modeof operation of the optical displayer and the sound reproducer. Thesystem is inherently self-synchronizing, because of the fact thatcontrol is shifted from one of the units to the other as determined bysignals pre-located at appropriate positions on the reproduced devicesthemselves. v

Synchronization must also occur between the control I system and theactual feeding means in the optical displayer. If that were not done,the film might not be moved onecomplete frame during a given feedingcycle, with obvious optical dislocation of the projection system. Tothis end an interlock is provided between the feeding mechanism and thecontrol mechanism, that interlock being effective to cause feed to takeplace strictly in accordance with the normal feed cycle.

Since the displayer is usually an optical device, the means forproducing the control signals associated therewith is most convenientlyoptical in character, and similarly since the sound reproducer isusually an electromagnetic device the means for producing the controlsignals is most conveniently electromagnetic in character. Simple andreliable electrical circuitry is employed to convertthe presence orabsence of those "control signals into appropriate electrical actuationswhich effect the desired control functions. This can 7 very readily beaccomplished by the use of simple and reliable relays to carry out thecontrol functions and by the use of an electromagnet to actuate the feedmechanism or at least that portion thereof which deter mines whetherfeed occurs or not.

The entire system is so simple, both mechanically and electrically, thatit can be incorporated into conventional optical displayers such asmotion picture projectors and sound reproducers such as magnetic tapereproducers without appreciably adding to their cost or size. The thusmodified projectors and reproducers can be used independently in normalfashion, and all that is necessaryin order to use them in cooperativecontrol fashion such as is here specifically disclosed is to utilizereproducible devices (film and tape) which have appropriate controlsignals thereon and to energize the simple control circuits which arepresent in the individual units of equipment. Thus the system of thepresent invention is very well adapted for use with home equipment orother small and readily portable equipment, and is not limited to,althoughit can well be used in, fixed installations such as theaters andauditoriums.

To the accomplishment of the above, and to such other-objects as mayhereinafter appear, the present invention relates to the constructionand arrangement of feed and control systems for optical displayers andsound reproducers, as defined in the appended claims and as described inthis specification, taken together with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a three-quarter perspective semi-schematic view showing anoptical displayer (motion picture projector) and sound reproducer (taperecorder) used together;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the motion picture film (opticaldisplayer device) which may be used in conjunction with the presentinvention, the figure showing a portion of that film which carries bothpicture intelligence and means for producing a control signal; 7

FIG. 3' is a circuit diagram of a preferred embodiment of the controlsystem of the present invention showing the interrelation between theoptical displayer and sound reproducer;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of one embodiment of amotion picture projector adapted to be used in conjunction with thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the motion'picture projector ofFIG. 4 taken from the side thereof op- INTRODUCTION Broadly considered,what is involved here is the use of two different intelligence-producingassemblies each acting upon a device to be reproduced, with thosedevices having control signals derived therefrom as well as intelligencesignals, and with the control of either or both of the assemblies beingeffected by one or the other or both of those control signals. Whenmention is made of control signals" any type of element for producingsuch signals could be used, whether optical, magnetic, or evenmechanical. When mention is made of intelligence reproduction the termreproductionis used broadly to represent either literal reproduction, asthe reproduction of sound from magnetic variations ona tape, orfigurative reproduction such as is involved in the visual display ofsomething to be carried on a slide or a motion picture film. Broadlyconsidered, the system of the present invention adapted to coordinatethe operation of any two intelligence producing assemblies adapted tobeused'together. For purposes of illustration, and in order. to make theexplanation of the operation of the system of the present invention moreunderstandable, one of those intelligence,producing assemblies isdescribed as an optical displayer, such as a slide projector, motionpicture projector, or projector or displayer of visual elements of anytype, whether produced by optical means or by other means (e.g.videotape). The other intelligence-producing assembly is described as a;"sound reproducer" such as an assembly or unit which is capable ofreproducing signals formed on an appropriate device, such as a soundrecord, sound tape, the optical sound reproductions on motion picturefilm and the like. In the form here specifically utilized forillustrative purposes, the optical displayer is a motion pictureprojector of relatively conventional type, such as that disclosed in myU.S. Pat. No. 3,524,573, of Aug. I8, 1970, entitled Intermittent FilmTransport Means for Motion Picture Projector" and assigned to theassignee of this application. Because of the facility with whichself-threading of such projector can be used in connection with thecontrol system of the present inverition, the projector or opticaldisplayer here specifically illustrated is of the self-threading type.The sound reproducer here shown is a conventional electromagneticreproducer capable of co-acting with magnetically moving tape which ismoved past a reproducirig head as it unwinds from one reel and is woundonto another reel, all as is conventional. It will be understood thatthese assemblies are disclosed and described by way of exemplificationand not by way of limitation, and that the terms optical displayer" andsound reproducer are in their broader senses meant to include any twointelligence-producing assemblies. In FIG. 1, there is shown on a table2 a motion picture projector 4 and a sound reproducer 6, the motionpicture projector operating in conjunction with a reproducible device inthe form of motion picture film 8 ('see FIG. 2) and the sound reproducer6 operating in conjunction with a reproducible device in the form ofsound tape 10 (see FIG. 3). The motion picture film 8 is provided alongone side with a row of sprocket holes I2 for cooperating with aconventional type of claw feed, hereinafter described more in detail. Italso carries a plurality of individual frames 14 of pictures which areadapted, in accordance with usual motion picture projection operation,to be moved one after the other into an optical projection position, theindividual fraines then stopping and being projected onto the screen 16.If the individual frames 14 are projected with relatively long timeintervals inbetween, they will be visible on the screen 16 as individualstationary pictures. If they are projected rapidly enough one after theother, they will appear on the screen 16 in the form of continuousmotion pictures.

"The motion picture film of FIG. 2 is provided, along its right-handedge as viewed thereon, with a control track, that track being hereshown as consisting of an opaque area 18 separated-by transparent areas20. It is ii'matter of arbitrary conceptualization whether the opaqueareasl8 be considered as producing a control signal and the transparentareas 20 are considered as not producing the control signal, or viceversa. Forpurposes of explanation the transparent areas 20 will be heredescribed as being effective to produce a control signal, while theopaque areas 18 will be here described as being ineffective to producesuch a signal. Thus on the motion picture film 8, the frames 14represent intelligence and constitute intelligence signals capable ofbeing reproduced (which term includes displaying) by the projector 4,while the transparent areas 20 along the right-hand edge of the film 8constitute optical means capable of being reproduced in order to createcontrol signals.

The sound reproducer device defined by the tape 10 likewise contains tworows or channels, one of those rows or channels being magneticallymodified in conventional fashion in order to produce a sound track, theother channel being magnetically modified so as to produce controlsignals which, as here specifically disclosed for purposes ofillustration, may be electromagnetically sensed and reproduced in thesame fashion and by essentially the same circuitry as is employed forthe reproduction of the intelligence signals on the tape, that is tosay, those signals adapted to create actual sound when passed throughsuitable electrical apparatus.

CONTROL CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION In the optical displayer 4, the controltrack defined by the opaque areas 18 and the transparent areas 20 isadapted to cooperate with a photocell 22, here shown as alight-sensitive silicon controlled rectifier. A suitable AC source 24,such as the normal 60 cycle power line, is connected throughautotransformer 26 and lines 28 and 30 to a full-wave rectifier 32 theoutput of which is fed to lines 34 and 36 which may be consideredrespectively as negative and positive DC lines. A capacitor 37 may beconnected across the lines 34 and 36 to filter out any ripple from theoutput of the rectifier 32. The photocell 22 is connected across thelines 34 and 36 in series with a projector stop relay winding 38. Arectifier 40 may be connected across the relay winding 38, and capacitor42 may be connected across the photocell 22. The electrode 44 ofphotocell 22 may be connected to the line 34 by means of a resistor 46and a capacitor 48 connected in parallel.

The sound reproducer 6 is provided with a circuit which, when closed,causes the tape 10 to be fed therethrough. That circuit can be manuallypreliminarily energized, but it also includes a pair of normally openrelay contacts 38A and 76C which are connected in parallel. One or theother of those contacts must be closed if the tape 10 is to be fedthrough the reproducer 6 when the reproducer is conditioned to operateunder the automatic control here described. The tape recorder has aconventional intelligence output circuit, not here shown, and it alsohas a control signal output circuit 54. The control signals produced bythe control tracks of the tape 10 may be in the form of a high frequencysignal having a frequency, for example, of 1,000 Hertz. That signal isfed to the full-wave rectifier 56, and the DC output thereof, smoothedby capacitor 58, is fed to the tape control relay winding 60.

Connected across the lines 34 and 36 are a resistor 62 and a capacitor64 in series. The point 66 between those two circuit elements isconnected to the base ofa uni-junction transistor 68. The outputelectrode 70 of the transistor 68 is connected to line 36 by a resistor72, while the output electrode 74 of the transistor '68 is connected toline 34 via holding relay winding 76. A rectifier 78 may be connectedacross the winding 76.

The winding 76 is connected to the line 36 via resistor 80 and relaycontacts 76A. The circuit thus described is a time delay circuitgenerally designated 81. When energized for a period of time sufficientto charge the capacitor 64, the unijunction transistor 68 will berendered conductive, thus energizing the holding relay winding 76.,Therelay contacts 76A are adapted to be closed when the winding 76 isenergized, thus acting as a means for holding the winding 76 energizedonce it has become energized.

A normally closed set of contacts 768 are connected between the line 36and the projector stop relay winding'38. These contacts are adapted tobe opened when the holding relay 76 is energized. A normally open set ofcontacts 60A are connected between line 36 and the time delay circuit81, and those contacts are adapted to be closed when the tape controlrelay winding 60 is energized. The normally open contacts 38A areadapted to be closed when the relay winding 38 is energized, and thenormally open contacts 76C are adapted to be closed when the winding 76is energized.

(In general, all relay contacts will be given the same number as therelay winding which is designed to actuate them, each set of contacts ofa given relay being distinguished from the other contacts actuated bythat relay winding by means of different letter designations.)

The remainder of FIG. 3 discloses control circuitry whichforms a part ofthe projector or optical displayer 4. When the projector is to be underautomatic control, it will normally be in a condition in which, eventhough the projector is energized and manually turned on, its

' feeding mechanism for feeding the film 8 therethrough will beprevented from operating. That feeding mechanism will be released tooperate only when the solenoid winding 82 is energized. The projector isprovided with an operation mode control switch generally designated 84having three modes, Run," Tape," and. Auto. In Run the projector willoperate continuously. In Tape" theprojector will operate in accordancewith combined projectorand reproducer control in accordance with thepresent invention. Switch 84 is therefore shown in its Tape mode. InAuto the projector will be operating at a speed determined by manualcontrol.

The AC output from the autotransformer 26,

. between the lines 28 and 30, is rectified at 86 and smoothed bycapacitor 88, and then applied across lines 90 and 92. Line 90 isconnected to one end of the winding 82 and to one side ofa capacitor 94.Line 92 is connected to point 96, where the switch 84, when in Tape"mode, makes connection to terminal 98 which is in turn connected to line100. Line 100 is connected,

via normally closed relay contact 388, to the other end ot'winding 82.Line 102, with rectifier I04 therein and with capacitor 107 betweenitself and line 90, is connected by line 105 and normally closed relaycontacts 608, to point 106. Normally open relay contacts 60C connectpoint 106 to'switch terminal 108, the switch 84 when in Tape" modeconnecting that terminal to switch terminal 110, which is in turnconnected to line 112. Line 112 is connected to switch terminal 114, theother terminal 116 of that switch being connected to the upper end ofthe solenoid winding 82. Switch 114, 116 is normally open and is adaptedto be closed by means of cam 118 mounted on shaft 120 As will be seenhereinafter, rotation of shaft 120 is synchronized with the action ofthe shaft 206 which actuates the mechanical feeding mechanism, theswitch 114, 116' being momentarily closed during that operation of thefeeding mechanism cycle when the feeding element or claw 200 is in thereturn or idling part of its cycle of operation. In this way it isensured that when the claw 200 is released in accordance with thecontrol signal it will engage the film and move it for a distancecorresponding to a complete frame. Point 106 is connected byline 122 toswitch terminal 124, that terminal being connected by switch 84, when inTape mode, to switch terminal 126 which is in turn connected by line 128to the upper end of capacitor 94.

SYSTEM OPERATION The operation of the optical displayer 4 and the soundreproducer 6 will be now described, it being understood that the modeswitch 84 of the projector is set to the Tape" position, the projectoris plugged in so that it is connected to the AC energy source 24,- thesound reproducer 6 is'plugged in and energized, and its feeding circuitis provisionally energized, needing only the closing of the relaycontacts 38A or 76C in order to start the feed of the tape 10. Means areprovided in the projector (hereinafter described) for preventingenergization of the photocell 22 when the projector is first energized.Hence projector stop relay winding 38 is not energized and the relaycontacts 38B are in their normally closed position. Hence a circuit maybe traced from positive line through the solenoid winding 82,

closed relay contacts 388, line 100, switch terminals 98 and 96, andline 92 to a less positive section of the energy source. Thus thesolenoid winding 82 is energized and the projector feed is permitted tooperate.

The projector feed will continue to operate, and the reproducer feedwill continue to be disenabled, until such time as the photocell 22 isenergized. When, as is here specifically illustrated, the projector 4 isof the self-threading type, the motion picture film 8 will be insertedthereinto and it will be fed therethrough in selfthreading fashion. Thetransparent section 20 on the film 8 is designed to become .operativelyassociated with the photocell 22 at an appropriate time in the threadingof the film into the projector, as when the threading is complete andthe film is ready for projection, that is to say, just before the firstintelligence or picture frame 14 comes into operative projectionposition. When the photocell 22 is illuminated, it becomes conductiveand projector stop relay 38 becomes energized, This opens the contacts38B and breaks the circuit to the solenoid winding 82. This in turncauses the projector feed to stop. At the same time, the normally opencontacts 38A associated with the feed control circuit for the soundreproducer 6 will close, and hence the feed system for the soundreproducer 6 will become enabled and the tape 10 will commence to be fedthrough the sound reproducer 6,.thereby producing appropriate soundoutput.

The projector will remain in standby condition, with its film 8 beingstationary and not being fed, until an appropriate control signalemanates from the tape 10, is rectified at 56, and energizes the tapecontrol relay winding 60. Prior to this moment, and after the relaywindings 388 had opened to break the circuit to the solenoid coil 82,the lines 90 and 102 were connected across the capacitor 94 via line105, relay contacts 608, line 122, switch contacts 124 and 126, and lineThis charges the capacitor 94. When, then, the tape control relaywinding 60 is energized, the relay contacts 608 will open, disconnectingcapacitor 94 from the energy source 24, and the relay contacts 60C willclose, connecting the capacitor 94 to the upper end of the solenoidwinding 82 via the switch 114, 116. If that latter switch becomes closedduring the time that the tape control relay winding 60 is energized,then the solenoid winding 82 will become energized and that will permitthe feed system of the projector 4 to be enabled. Ordinarily, when theprojector 4 is a motion picture projector, a certain length of time isprovided for a feed cycle. If step by step operation of the projectorfeed is desired, then the control signal from the tape will have a timeduration less than that needed for a full feed cycle of the projector,and as a result the relay contacts 60B and 60C will resume their normalcondition before the feed cycle has been completed. This will disconnectthe energy source from the solenoid winding 82 and cause the latter tobecome deenergized. Means are provided so that the feed cycle of theprojector can continue until the cycle is over, but the occurrence ofsubsequent feed cycles is inhibited until such time as the solenoidwinding 82 is again energized. By

placing suitable control signals at appropriate positions along thelength of the sound tape 10, individual frame feeding of the motionpicture film 8 thus can be produced at times appropriate to theparticular sound intelligence being reproduced at any given moment.

.E m h .t p ont l r ay .0 s nergi ed the relay contacts 60A are closed.This causes energization of the time delay circuit 81 connected theretoand the capacitor 64 starts to charge. However, the size of thatcapacitor 64is such that it will not charge suff ciently to render thetransistor 68 conductive in the period of time comparable to a singlefeed cycle of the projector. Each time that the tape control relaywinding 60 is deenergized, the charge previously placed upon capacitor64 will leak off therefrom. Thus when individual short control signalsare produced by the tape 10 the holding relay winding 76 is notenergized. However, if a control signal of longer duration emanates fromthe reproducer 6 (for example, a signal whose length in terms of timeexceeds milliseconds) the capacitor 64 will charge sufficiently so as torender the transistor 68 conductive and energize the holding relaywinding 76. That energization closes the relay contacts 76A, thusholding the winding 76 energized for so long the control signal emanatesfrom the reproducer 6, that is to say, for so long as the tape controlrelay winding 60 remains energized and thus keeps the relay contacts 60Aclosed.

While the relay winding 60 is thus energized, the relay contacts 608 areopened and relay contacts 60C are closed and'the solenoid winding 82thus becomes energized through discharge of the previously chargedcapacitor 94. That will not keep the solenoid winding 82 energized anextended period of time. However, cnergization of the holding relaywinding 76 opens the normally closed contacts 768 and thus deenergizesthe projector stop relay 38 even if the photocell 22 may be illuminatedand thus conductive. When the projector stop relay winding 38 becomesdeenergized, the relay contacts 388 close, and thus constantenergization of the solenoid winding 82 results, producing continuousfeed of the projector 4.

if now the long duration control signals from the tape 10 stop, the tapecontrol relay winding becomes deenergized. This causes the relaycontacts 60A to open, deenergizing the holding relay winding 76,permitting the relay contacts 76A to open, and permitting the relaycontacts 76C to open. Since the projector stop relay winding 38 hadpreviously been deenergized, the relay contacts 38A are likewise open,and hence feed of the tape 10 through the reproducer 6 stops. However,because the projector stop relay winding 38 is deenergized, the contacts38B remain closed, the solenoid winding 82 remains energized constantly,and projector feed continues. It will continue until the next controlsignal emanates from the projector device, the motion picture film 8.When the next transparent area 20 comes into operative registration withthe photocell 22, that photocell will become conductive, the winding 38will become energized, the contacts 38B will open, disconnecting thewinding 82 from the power source 24, thereby causing projector feed tostop, the relay contacts 38A will close, reproducer feed will resume,and control of the joint operation of the reproducer and the displayerwill again be carried out by the control signals from the tape 10 in themanner previously described.

Thus, through cooperative action between control signals carried by theoptical displayer device 8 and the sound reproducer device 10respectively, complete flexibility in operation of the optical displayer4 and sound reproducer 6 is effectuated. The sound reproducer 6 will notstart until a signal comes from the optical displayer 4. The soundreproducer 6, through its control signals, will then control theoperation of the feed of the optical displayer 4, causing that feed tooccur either in step by step fashion, at any desired frequency and withany desired time interval between steps, or in continuous fashion. Thecontrol can be such that the reproducer feed is stopped while theprojector feed continues, an appropriate signal from the projector thenturning control back to the sound reproducer after the latter has beenrestarted.

Through judicious choice of the particular control signals and throughjudicious shifting of the control from optical displayer to soundreproducer and back again, all accomplished through control signalsintegrally formed on the optical displayer device 8 and the soundreproducer device 10 respectively, automatic synchronization is achievedwith the utmost flexibility in the type ofcontrol produced.

RUN" AND AUTO" MODES When the mode switch 84 on the projector is in themitting projector feed to take place without interruption.

When the mode switch 84 on the projector is in Auto," terminal 126 isconnected to terminal 132, that in turn being connected by line 134 topoint 136. Switch terminal 110 will at the same time be connected toswitch terminal 138, which is in turn connected by line 140 to normallyopen relay contacts 140A, those contacts connecting line 140 to point136. Normally closed contacts 140B connect point 36 to line 102 via line142. The relay contacts 140A and 140B are controlled by relay winding140 which is connected between line 34 and one output terminal oftransistor 144. The other output terminal of that transistor isconnected by resistor 146 to line 36. The control terminal of transistor144 is connected to point 148 between variable resistor 150 andcapacitor 152 connected in series across the lines 34 and 36, thatcapacitor-resistor network constituting a time delay network determiningthe length of time that it takes to charge the capacitor 152 to apotential such as to render the transistor 144 conductive. Whenever thetransistor 144 becomes conductive the relay winding 140 becomesenergized, and when that occurs a leakage path is provided across thecapacitor 152. The setting of the resistor 150, which is manuallyaccomplished, will determine the frequency with which the relay winding140 is energized. The action of the relay winding on the relay contacts140A and 140B is similar to that previously described with respect tothe relay contacts 60C and 60B. They alternately connect the energystorage means defined by the capacitor 94 between the energy source 24and the solenoid winding 82. Thus when the mode switch 84 on theprojector is in its Auto position, step by step feed by the projectorwill be effected, through step by step energization of the solenoidwinding 82, at a frequency determined by the setting of the resistor150. Thus in the Auto mode the speed of operation of the projector feedcan be manually determined and controlled.

PROJECTOR FEED STRUCTURE FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 disclose projector structurewhich is in general known and conventional but which has been modifiedin certain respects in order to adapt it for use in connection with thecontrol system of the present invention.

Having referencefirst to FIG. 4, the projector 4 comprises a chassisgenerally designated 150 on which are mounted a supply reel 152 and atake-up reel 154. The

- film 8 is adapted to be fed from the supply reel 152 down into channel156, past the projection station 158, then along channels 160 and 162 tothe take-up reel 154. The photocell 22 may be mounted in the chassis 150at a point between the channel l58'and the channel 160. It may have aseparate light source associated therewith or, as here specificallydisclosed, it may be affected by the ambient light coming from the bulbwhich is used for projection purposes. As the system of light fromreaching it. When the leading end of the film 8 is fed down through thechannel 156 it will engage the gate 164 and cause it to pivot in aclockwise direction, the end of the film then moving over the photocell22. Since that photocell will be aligned with the control track on'thefilm 8, and since that control track will at least initially be opaqueas at 18, the photocell 22 will remain unenergized by light, andtherefore nonconductive, until such time as the first transparent area20 on the control track comes into operative registration therewith. Thefunction of the gate 164 is to prevent the photocell 22 from becomingconductive prior to the time that the film 8 reaches it; once the film 8reaches it then the control track on the film takes over control.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 5 and 6 for details of the feedingmechanism and of the means for driving and preventing the enabling ofthat mechanism, the actual feeding element may comprise a feeding claw200 of conventional construction. This claw is mounted for sliding andswinging movement, and is provided with a spring 202 (see FIG. 4)adapted to urge it to the right to film-grasping position. An eccentric204 is mounted on drive shaft 206 and is received inside opening 208 ofthe claw 200. The spring 202 urges the portion 208 of the claw 200 intoengagement with the eccentric 204, and as the shaft 206 rotates thelefthand end of the claw 200, in which the eccentric 204 is received, ismoved laterally and swung from side to side, thereby causing the claw tocarry out its filmfeeding functions, all as is well known. For eachcomplete rotation of the shaft 206 and the eccentric 204, the claw 200will complete a single feeding cycle, moving from a withdrawn positionto a position in which it penetrates the sprocket holes 12 on the film8, draws that film down a distance corresponding to a single frame 14,and then withdraws from the sprocket holes 12 so as to leave the filmstationary.

The mechanism to inhibit the operation of the claw 200 through itsfilm-feeding cycle while at the same time permitting the drive shaft 206to rotate comprises a pin 210, connected to and movable with the claw200, that pin passing through slot 212 in stationary frame plate 214 andthen being connected to member 216, the latter being slidably retainedon the plate 214 by means of screws 218 received in slots 220 formed inthe member 216. The member 216 extends forwardly and is then bent to oneside, at 222. The laterally bent portion 222 will,'therefore, move backand forth with the claw 200 as the latter moves.

The electromagnet 82, of which the winding 82 of FlG. 3 is a part, ismounted on the chassis at a point near the path of movement of the part222. That electromagnet comprises an armature 224 which is springurgeddownwardly but which is adapted to be pulled upwardly and inwardly bythe winding 82 when the latter is energized. Spring 226 is active on thearmature 224 to urge it downwardly, as by engaging pin 228 carried bythe armature 224. The lower end of the armature 224 carries anenlargement 230 which, when the armature 224 is'in its down position, isin the path of movement of the part 222. When the part 222 together withthe claw 200 is in its fully withdrawn position all the way to the leftas viewed in FIG. 6, the enlargement 230 can move downwardly in front ofthe part 222, and

thereafter as the eccentric 204 rotates to permit the claw 200 and thepart 222, as urged by the spring 202, to move to the right in FIG. 6,the part 222 will come up against the part 230 and will be preventedfrom moving. This will prevent the claw 200 from moving and thus willprevent any feed of the film 8. The shaft (to'the right as viewed inFIG. 6) as permitted by rotation of the eccentric 204 within the clawpart 208, thereby producing a single frame feed of the film 8. If, as ispreferably the case, the winding 82 is deenergized during the feed cycleof the claw 200, the armature 224 will be released for downwardmovement, the enlargement 230 will engage the upper surface of the part222 without inhibiting lateral sliding movement of part 222, and it willbe retained in its thus elevated position until the part 222 has movedall the way to the right as viewed in FIG. 5, as it will do at the endof its feed cycle. Then the enlargement 230 will move down into the pathof the part 222, preventing any further feed of the film 8 unless anduntil the solenoid winding 82 is energized.

If the claw 200 were released when the feed mechanism per se theeccentric 204 mounted on shaft 206 was in a position corresponding topenetration of the film by the claw 200, with the claw then beingsomeplace within its range of film-feeding movement, the claw 200 wouldbe released to assume that position. It might ormight not engage withthe sprocket holes in'the film. lfit does not thus engage, the filmmight not be fed at all. If it does thus engage, the film will be fed,but for a distance less than that corresponding to a full frame. Ineither case, the projection will be faulty. lt is to prevent this fromoccurring that the switch 114, 116 is provided, that switch beingoperated by cam 118 (shown schematically in FIG. 3 and physically inFIG. The timing of the cam action on the switch 114, 116 is such thatthe switch 114, 116 is closed only during the time that the cam 204 isin the claw-withdrawal-and-return portion of its cycle movement. Hencethe solenoid 82 will be energized withdrawing the enlargement 230 fromthe path of the part 222 a short time before the feeding cam 204 permitsthe claw 200 to move forward and penetrate the film. Hence registrationof the claw with the film sprocket openings and the feeding of the filmone complete frame distance bythe claw is ensured.

SUMMARY The system and structure of the present invention has been heredisclosed in a preferred form, and the operation of the control systemhas been described in conjunction with what are considered to bepreferred modes of operation. However, it will be apparent that,precisely because the system of the present invention permits such adegree of flexibility in the type of control achieved, that which ishere specifically disclosed must be considered as exemplary only.Similarly, although a given relatively conventional feeding structurehas been here disclosed, with means shown to modify it for functioningin conjunction with the system of the present invention, that too issubject to wide variation and the specific disclosure here must be considered as exemplary only.

The terms optical displayer" and sound reproducer are here used, in thespecification and in the claims, generically to means first and secondintelligence reproducing devices of whatsoever character the control ofwhich is to be interrelated. They could both reproduce sound, they couldboth display visual images, or, if one is optical and the other aural,the sequence of control steps could be such that the terms opticaldisplayer" and reproducer device," if interpreted literally, could beinterchanged in the specification and claims while still incorporatingthe invention here disclosed and claimed.

While only a single embodiment of the present invention has been herespecifically disclosed, it will be apparent that many variations may bemade therein, all within the scope of the instant invention as definedin the following claims.

We claim:

1. A feeding mechanism for a displayer comprising a member movablebetween first and second operative positions, biasing means urging saidmember toward said first position, and a drive element engaging saidmember, moving it to its second position and permitting it to move toits first position, a part connected to said member and movabletherewith, a stop movable between first and second positions, said stopwhen in its first position being in the path of movement of said partand being engaged by said part when the latter is in its secondposition, said stop when in its second position being out of the path ofmovement of said part, biasing means acting on said stop to urge it toits first position, and electrically actuated stop moving meansoperatively connected to said stop and effective when actuated to movesaid stop to its second position.

2, The feeding mechanism of claim 1, in which said member is adapted tomove from first to second position and back again in a given period oftime, and means operatively connected to said stop moving means foractuating the latter for a period of time less than said given period oftime. i i

3. The feed mechanism of claim 2, in which said member is movablethrough feed and return cycles, and interlock means operativelyconnected to said member and to said stop moving means and effective topermit actuation of the latter only when said member is in its returncycle.

4. The feed mechanism of claim 1, in which said member is movablethrough feed and return cycles, and interlock means operativelyconnected to said member and to said stop moving means and effective topermit actuation of the latter only when said member is in its returncycle.

5. The feeding mechanism of claim 1, in which stop moving meanscomprises an electromagnet.

6. The feed mechanism of claim 5, in which said member is movablethrough feed and return cycles, and interlock means operativelyconnected to said member and to said stop moving means and effective topermit actuation of the latter only when said member is in its returncycle.

7. The feeding mechanism of claim 5, in which the means for actuatingsaid stop moving means comprises an energy source, an energy storagemeans and switch means effective alternately to connect said storagemeans to said source and to said electromagnet.

8. The feeding mechanism of claim 7, in which said member is adapted tomove from first to second position and back-again in a given period oftime, said energy storage means when connected to said electromagnetbeing effective to actuate the latter for a period of time less thansaid given period of time. 7

9. The feeding mechanism of claim 1, in which the net being effective toactuate the latter for a period of time less than said given period oftime.

1. A feeding mechanism for a displayer comprising a member movablebetween first and second operative positions, biasing means urging saidmember toward said first position, and a drive element engaging saidmember, moving it to its second position and permitting it to move toits first position, a part connected to said member and movabletherewith, a stop movable between first and second positions, said stopwhen in its first position being in the path of movement of said partand being engaged by said part when the latter is in its secondposition, said stop when in its second position being out of the path ofmovement of said part, biasing means acting on said stop to urge it toits first position, and electrically actuated stop moving meansoperatively connected to said stop and effective when actuated to movesaid stop to its second position.
 2. The feeding mechanism of claim 1,in which said member is adapted to move from first to second positionand back again in a given period of time, and means operativelyconnected to said stop moving means for actuating the latter for aperiod of time less than said given period of time.
 3. The feedmechanism of claim 2, in which said member is movable through feed andreturn cycles, and interlock means operatively connected to said memberand to said stop moving means and effective to permit actuation of thelatter only when said member is in its return cycle.
 4. The feedmechanism of claim 1, in which said member is movable through feed andreturn cycles, and interlock means operatively connected tO said memberand to said stop moving means and effective to permit actuation of thelatter only when said member is in its return cycle.
 5. The feedingmechanism of claim 1, in which stop moving means comprises anelectromagnet.
 6. The feed mechanism of claim 5, in which said member ismovable through feed and return cycles, and interlock means operativelyconnected to said member and to said stop moving means and effective topermit actuation of the latter only when said member is in its returncycle.
 7. The feeding mechanism of claim 5, in which the means foractuating said stop moving means comprises an energy source, an energystorage means and switch means effective alternately to connect saidstorage means to said source and to said electromagnet.
 8. The feedingmechanism of claim 7, in which said member is adapted to move from firstto second position and back again in a given period of time, said energystorage means when connected to said electromagnet being effective toactuate the latter for a period of time less than said given period oftime.
 9. The feeding mechanism of claim 1, in which the means foractuating said stop moving means comprises an energy source, an energystorage means and switch means effective alternately to connect saidstorage means to said source and to said electromagnet.
 10. The feedingmechanism of claim 9, in which said member is adapted to move from firstto second position and back again in a given period of time, said energystorage means when connected to said electromagnet being effective toactuate the latter for a period of time less than said given period oftime.